The Mighty Clarence Poem by Trish Ratford

The Mighty Clarence



THE MIGHTY CLARENCE

When you started out big river
in the Lindsay range up North
who would have thought you mighty
at the trickle you brought forth.

Until you passed through Tabulam
you weren't so mighty yet
but burbling down the ranges
you merged rivers to your depth

And on passing through that township
with it's hills and meadows green
your banks you had to widen
to take in the extra stream

As you tumbled through the gorges
gauging pathways through the stone
moving boulders with your strength
which gave way with a moan

Baryulgil and Mount Carnham
added volumes to your flow
as wider and yet wider
I watched your waters grow

When you flowed through Grafton
I thought that you were spent
but you spread out even wider
as to Maclean you went

Your waters you divided
and divided once again
to make up many islands
as you went beyond Maclean

At last you came to Yamba
and there you met the ocean
you had reached your journey's end
and finally ceased your motion.
End

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
This is a poem about the Clarence River in Northern river area NSW. The place names on its journey to the sea are actual places and shows the growth of the river from start to finish. I used to live in the area and studied the river at the time. I just loved the diversity of the places that it traveled through, and the industries it supported such as the prawn trawlers and fishing boats down Yamba way. I hope that you enjoy it.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success